Clean A Hacked Joomla Website
Scan your Joomla site to identify malware locations and malicious payloads. ensures timely monitoring and identification of a hacked Joomla site.
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Thereafter, check for any modified files including your core files. You can do so by manually check your files via SFTP.
Audit for malicious Joomla! user accounts
In case your Joomla site shows as blacklisted by Google or other website security authorities, you can check the security status of your Joomla! website by using their diagnostic tools. To check for Google transparency, visit the Safe Browsing Site Status website where you can view
Site safety details which give information about malicious redirects, spam, and downloads.
Testing Details which inform about the most recent Google scan which discovered the malware.
Make use of free security monitoring tools like Google Webmasters Central, Bing Webmaster Tools, and Norton SafeWeb to check security reports for your website.
On gaining information about potential malware location, compromised users and threat assessment, opt for a full website clean. Compare infected files with previous backups to assess the extent of modifications and remove malicious changes. Clean hacked Joomla database by using a database admin panel, such as PHPMyAdmin or tools like Search-Replace-DB or Adminer.
Next step would be to secure all user accounts. Often hackers leave multiple backdoors so as to again gain access even after a website has been cleaned. Backdoors are embedded in legitimate-looking files usually but located in the wrong directories. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly cleanse your files from backdoors else there is a threat of re-infection.
System logs are the best tool to identify the cause of a Joomla hack. System logs record
all the previous activities that took place. So whenever an XSS or SQL injection takes place,
there is always a record of the request. Furthermore, hackers tend to create new admin
accounts. If you wish to check for any suspicious users, then:
Firstly Login your Joomla Dashboard.
Now, click on Users and select Manage.
Here check for suspicious users. Especially those recently registered.
Now proceed to Remove any unknown users.
Also, check the Last Visit Date.
Find out where the server logs are stored. Use it to identify Joomla SQL injection etc.
If you see users logging from unknown IPs, remove them.
Moreover, use google diagnostic report to find the cause. It gives you a comprehensive view
of your site. If your site is blacklisted work closer with Google. The diagnostic report will give
you the cause for blacklisting. Use it to find and weed out the infection!
Post Joomla hack removal?
Most of the time a Joomla hack takes place due to unpatched files. Hence, the first step to follow post cleaning the hack is a Joomla update. Updates essentially remove vulnerable extensions and fill in security holes thus providing you with a secure environment.
Currently, the Joomla version 3.x is the most stable major version. Those using 1.x and 2.x branches should immediately switch to 3.x.
Other than major version update, also update all Joomla core files, components, templates, modules, and plugins.
Post-hack, it is also advised to reinstall all extensions to ensure they are functional and malware residual free. Further, remove defunct/deactivated themes, components, modules, or plugins from your web server. Sometimes, we forget to delete the files related to these abandoned modules & plugins, this may still leave loopholes. Thus, make sure to get rid of the files too as they may contain serious vulnerabilities
After cleaning your hacked Joomla site, make a backup. Having a good backup strategy is at the core of the best security practices. Store your backups in an off-site location, as storing them on a server can also lead to a hack.
Lastly, it is advised to scan your system with a good antivirus. There is a possibility of system compromise if a user with an infected computer has access to your website. Protect your site using a website firewall which basically shields your site from any malicious users or malware threats from the web. Astra’s Web Application Firewall mitigates against any online threats and keeps malware at bay.
Reset all passwords to avoid reinfections. Ensure that you’ve set up two-factor authentication on user accounts. Also, practice the least privilege and give limited access to people who need to do a particular job.
Implementing the following security practices will protect your Joomla site from the majority of attacks:
Regularly update Joomla Version, Extension & Plugins:
Restrict access to Admin Page:
Using Two-factor Authentication:
Be wary of corrupted downloads:
Proper File and Directory Permissions:
A secure Joomla site is one which is updated regularly. Every version update is released with security enhancements and bug fixes. An outdated version of Joomla or any other outdated extensions/plugins can sneak in hackers.
Weak credentials can be ultimately leaked through Brute Force and act as common security holes, thus leading to compromised security. Easily guessed passwords and default admin accounts make it easier for perpetrators to gain illegal access to your Joomla website, thus exposing it a host of malicious activities.  A long length password with multiple characters makes it for a secure passcode than a  shorter one.
Regularly backing up the archives of your files and databases saves your back in case anything goes wrong. Some extensions like the Easy Joomla Backup provide automatic scheduled backups which can later be restored in case of data loss resulting from a hack.
Perpetrators often resort to brute force attacks on easily guessed admin login pages. Thus it is imperative to restrict access to your administrator area. It is advised to not use a default admin login page URL, rather replace it with a specific name. Moreover, the admin panel must be password protected. Extensions like Admin tools, RSFirewall, etc allow a Joomla site owner to change their login page URL
Using security extensions go a long way in securing your Joomla site. These extensions, when configured with your site properly, allow you to block any kind of malicious activity and cover-up security holes. extensions allow you to block hacker attacks and close security holes of your Joomla site.
A two-factor authentication code (commonly known as the One time password: OPT) makes your Joomla site even more secure. Even if your password is guessed or leaked, one still has to go through an authentication code to gain illegal access of your account.
Never download premium extensions, plugins or any items for free from unauthenticated or unofficial sources. Plugins from an unknown source may be corrupted or contain malware, which may harm your site. Do not consider saving money here, rather spend on authentic sources.
Whenever a user logs into a site, his/her credentials are sent to a server sans encryption. By using an SSL certificate, these credentials will be encrypted before sending to the server. In this way, an SSL certification provides an additional layer of protection to your Joomla website.
FTP layer is generally not needed in Joomla and it is disabled by default. It is necessary to keep it so, as an enabled FTP layer is a major security hole in Joomla sites.
Always manage permissions to files and directories, and never give full access of permission 777. Never give full access or permission 777, but rather use 755 for folders, 644 for files and 444 for configuration.php files
